Everything We Know About Doctor Who Season 8

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A look ahead at the plots, characters and villains of new Who.

By Matt Risley

Intoning that the new season of Doctor Who will be 'All New! All Different!' is about as surprising as suggesting that it's all going to get 'a bit Timey-Wimey'. Who is, after all, a series built on crazy, calamitous change.

But from what we know so far, Season 8 (the rebooted years) could just be the most radical departure since the show's rejuvenation back in 2005.

Sure, there's a new Doctor, but with him comes a whole new tone, dynamic and even mission statement. So join us as we jump through the fact-finding wormhole and break down what we know about the new Who so far.

Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi.

WHO'S WHO?

Step forward lifelong Who fan and 'we-can't-believe-we-never-thought-of-that-but-sweet-Jeebus-that's-some-perfect-casting' Mr Peter Capaldi, who'll be taking up the Sonic Screwdriver as the Twelfth Doctor.

Intriguingly, he's appeared in the Whoniverse twice before (as Caecilius in 'The Fires of Pompeii' and as John Frobisher in Torchwood: Children of Earth), which begs the question of quite how the chuff showrunner Steven Moffat and co will explain that casting paradox away (Russell T. Davies is said to have come up with a theory, and it's one that Moffat could well be nabbing).

BUBBA WHO TEP

Capaldi fan or not, it's an undeniable shift away from the Benjamin Button casting that's typified the show since its return. Matt Smith was the show's youngest Doctor yet, with a madcap, frenzied energy that propelled the show in recent times - so is the slingshot back towards the older end of the age spectrum cause for concern?

In short, nope.

Not only has Moffat addressed the whole age thing (he told us "It's all the difference in the world and [yet] it's no difference at all... [we could have chosen] another sexy young man with amazing hair, [but] we've done that") but Capaldi's all too aware himself.

Talking to Shortlist, he admitted he's "done a lot of running up and down corridors" (+365 DOCTOR XP), before mirthfully recalling a recent bout of wirework. "I don't want to be an old Doctor just standing in the corner with the young people doing all the action for me."

The shift in age also brings with it a tonal gravitas that's harking back to its earlier years. Chatting to Doctor Who Magazine, Moffat compared the introduction of the Twelfth Doctor to Tom Baker's first season, portending that the Doctor will be tricky to deal with at the beginning.

Elsewhere, BBC One controller Charlotte Moore has said "[Series 8 is] visceral, emotional and epic… [there is] nothing safe and predictable about the new series and the new Doctor," with Capaldi concurring the change in tone, noting "it's going to be a bit different from what we've seen over recent years. A bit more gravity… and a bit more sombre."

SO NO FLIRTING THEN?

Not yet. While new Who has always cheerfully pushed a pan-sexual philosophy, Moffat, Capaldi and Coleman have all ruled out a 28 year gap sexytime. While a source told the Radio Times that the chemistry between Capaldi and Coleman is 'sizzling', the dynamic is brand new.

No time for love Doctor Who.

THE CAST

Coleman's back and locked in as Capaldi's enigmatic companion Clara Oswald, and she'll be joined by a new recurring character called Danny Pink (played by Samuel Anderson), a teacher and Clara's colleague at Coal Hill School who could just end up being her new beau.

As far as cameos and supporting characters go, a host of British actors, comedians and, erm, pop singers are also aboard. Keeley Hawes, Tom Riley, Hermione Norris, Frank Skinner, Foxes, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Ben Miller and Christopher Fairbank are all confirmed to star, while the rumour mill currently swirls around a reappearance by Alex Kingston's River Song, and additional (very speculative) appearances by former 007-er Roger Moore and Game of Thrones' Richard Madden.

HOW LONG IS IT? AND WHO'S STEERING THE SHIP?

Season 8 is one continuous run, and will comprise of 12 episodes and one festive Christmas special.

Capaldi's first full episode, 'Deep Breath', will air in the UK on 23rd August and at 75 minutes will be the series' longest opening episode since the show's return in 2005. It's directed by Kill List and Sightseers genius Ben Wheatley, who's said to be bringing his signature ominous and creepy tone to proceedings. He's also directing Episode 2, which is set to feature the Daleks (a creative pairing we can't wait to see realised).

Steven Moffat will write Episode 1 'Deep Breath' (featuring Madame Vastra, Strax and Jenny, and focusing on Clara's struggle to cope with the new Doctor), Episode 4 (focusing on Clara's date with Danny, and the Doctor having 'a minor nervous breakdown'), and the two-part Episode 11-12 finale (featuring the Cybermen in London, and - RUMOUR ALERT - said to revolve around the villains' newfound ability to return the dead back to life).

As far as iconic nasties go, so far confirmed are the Daleks, who'll be popping up to terrorise Who in episode 2, and the Cybermen who'll be harassing London (there have already been images of them stomping around outside St. Paul's Cathedral) in the two-episode finale.

In 'new monster' territory, we know there'll be a monster in Episode 6 that's "stunning in a very glamorous way", according to Moffat. Keeley Hawes will also be surfacing as the mysterious Ms Delphox in Episode 5, a nemesis who Moffat amusingly notes "achieves the greatest villainy yet attempted on Doctor Who: she plays a banker." Oh, and the Sheriff of Nottingham and a bunch of Robot Knights will be causing havoc in Episode 3.

SO WHO'S THE BIG BAD?

While Ben Wheatley has revealed that the series isn't as focused on multi-arc plot mechanics ("They're back to classic Who, or the mid-Tennant adventures… less tied up in the machinations of long plot arcs"), we bet our bottom nerdy dollar that there'll be a shadowy figure stalking Capaldi throughout.

Fan theories suggest that you could hear Davros' voice in the first teaser trailer, but we're betting against it being that simple.

Other fan speculations intriguingly suggest Charles Dance could be popping up as The Master, but Moffat publicly denounced that they're bringing back the Doctor's nemesis just last week ("The Doctor doesn't really need an arch-enemy, so we'll go for new ones"). Then again, we know that Moffat repeatedly and gleefully lies to fans to throw them off the scent. So take from that what you will.

SO WHAT IS THE PLOT?

Even though there may not be any densely plotted multi-layered uber-arcs, there are still a host of unresolved Who issues to contend with. Once the drama of the new Doctor has subsided, there's the ongoing battle between Clara and the TARDIS to deal with, as well as the hunt for Gallifrey after the events of the 50th anniversary. Whatever the weird and no doubt wonderful plotting, we can't wait to find out.